IRON RIVER -- Ski Brule is filled with thousands of visitors during the skiing season, but what's a ski hill to do when the weather becomes warmer?
When the seasons change, so does Ski Brule. The entire ski area is transformed into a sporting clays course for the off-season.
The Ski Brule staff takes about a week to set up the stands and traps for sporting clays stations all over the area. But what is sporting clays?
Think of it as a mixture between golf and shooting target practice. It gets its name from the clay targets used...which can represent different kinds of birds or even rabbits.
There are many of different types of targets and over 50 different station locations designed to emulate real hunting habitats and scenarios. It's about as real as it gets without actually shooting live targets.
"Over the summertime, our business does build, as most industries do, during the summer in the U.P. July is very busy. August is good. It slows down a bit until we get closer to bird season. And during bird season, we see a lot of visitors getting ready, practicing their skills for the bird season," said Jessica Polich, Ski Brule Operations Manager.
You go to the sporting clays stations in groups wearing eye and ear protection. One person keeps score while the other aims and fires.
If you're a beginner or you've never shot before, the instructors will teach you the proper and safe shotgun handling methods. But if you're a sporting clays shooter, like Kristina Wodzinski, then you've got plenty of reasons to show up and shoot.
"Number one, probably because I'm just competitive. But I do it for fun, and I've only been doing it for a couple of years. I enjoy it, and it's something to do with everyone, and I'm getting better," said Kristina.
They're open daily and they appreciate reservations, but also welcome walk-ins. Call Ski Brule at (906) 265-4957 for more information.
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